You really should!! I read the Advance Readers Copy my school library had when I was in 4th grade and I’ve read it about four times a year since then (I’m in 6th grade now)! It’s one of my favorite books, right up there with Harry Potter, The Giver, Matilda, and Little Women. (I guess I have a wide range of interests :P) But anyway I would totally take a quiz if you put one up! I went to the official Hero’s Guide website and took the Which Prince Are You and Which Princess Are You quizzes. I took them both twice and I got Prince Duncan and Princess Lila both times! Anyway, I’m rambling. You should totally put a quiz up on this website!! Maybe like “Do you know Hero’s Guide as well as Mr. Healy?” or something.

Wow, you have good taste in books! I’m honored to be named among those other illustrious titles. And I think you’re right: I should have more quizzes on my sites. I love quizzes. Quizzes rule. Thanks for the suggestion!

Hi there! I am a twelve year old girl in Washington named Samantha and I love your book series sooooooo much!!! It is so hard to find good series these days (I must admit I’m a bit of a series-snob) that when I fiound the Hero’s Guide I read each of you first two books in a day! Please don’t stop PLLLEEEAAASSSEE !!!!!! I love you ability to have consistant carictars throughout your books. I currently am righting a book I hope to one day publish. Do you have any tips?
Thanks, Samantha

Thanks, Samantha. And good luck with your writing! The most important thing to do as a writer is to be a reader. Reading a lot will not only provide you with inspiration, but will also help you figure out what’s be done before and what hasn’t — as well as what works and what doesn’t. Always good to learn from your fellow writers.

hI, i LOVE YOUR BOOKS, AND CLEAVER USE OF CHARACTER ARCHETYPES, AND CAN’T TO SEE MORE. How WOULD YOU DEFINE THE THEME OF YOUR BOOKS? i AM currently WORKING ON A FRACTURED MYTH. Since MY THEME is somewhat fate vs freewill, my logline/oneline is “The son of Zeus must confront his destiny on a quest to save the king of Thebes”, but I am having a hard time with characterization and implementing the theme. How do you manage it?

I map everything out before I start. It can be very difficult to keep track of a character development, plot development, and theme all at once–especially in a long book with lots of characters. So I not only map out the plot beforehand, but also draw a map of the actual settings, and create individual character maps for each character that plot out that character’s development over the course of the story. That way I can keep all of these things on hand to remind me of the points I need to hit and the important factors I can’t forget to include.

My 9 year old son and I are reading your “Saving Your Kingdom”. I grabbed your book at the library because of the cover. I rarely judge a book by it’s cover, but I must say that you knew what you were doing when you picked the artists who did both the cover work and the drawings! Why are we taking so long to read through your book? Well if we read it too fast, we will be left with nothing else to read by Christopher Healy. Anyway, we are really enjoying your book. I would write more, we want to find out what happens in Chapter 19 Prince Charming Needs A Bath.

Just wanted to let you know I am a huge fan of your book. I am a homeschooling mom and I do a lot of tween reading and was so excited when I saw your book. It was hysterical, had great lessons to learn, amazing characters…I could go on and on! I looked on Amazon and it said this was your first book in the Heros’ series. I look forward to the next book! I just wanted to let you know I am getting ready to do a little review of your book and of course it will be 100% positive. Thanks for writing a wholesome and clean book that is full of adventure, humor, and morals. I look forward to following your promising career!

Thanks for taking the time to let me know how much you liked Hero’s Guide. I always appreciate hearing from readers. And yes, this is only the first book in the Hero’s Guide series. Book 2 will be out next May.

I LOVED your book I can never find a book to read for school and this book needs to be in the libary ! I will reqest to have this book at school ! I think it was better than the Series of Unforunate Events and those books were good. It was exiting , you should write a screen play and make it a movie. A kid friendly movie with action and humor !

Wow, I hope it doesn’t get slaughtered the way the film did to the “Percy jacson books. I am trying to wright scripts, but don’t have much hope that the story will stay recognizable if it ever gets into a producer’s hands. Though if any writer wanted their stories to be told on the big screne, I woould love to work with them to try and preserve their vision.

I just finished your book and thought it was just fantastic! Don’t worry about your corny jokes! I like them! I can be sitting there and I will read it and just laugh, then have to read it again just to laugh one more time. Great intriguing characters and I am waiting for the next! In the meantime I am getting everyone I know to read it, for I am sure they will enjoy it just as much as I did.

Okay, yes, I did make another comment on another page, but I would like to say again that your book rocks! My friend and neighbor recommended it to me, and I loved it when the public was upset that there would be no cheesecake at the wedding! I also loved your chapter names. They were amazing! Please tell me that I you’re writing more than three books. You’re amazing, and thank you for your contribuition to the world! (I hope I spelled contribuition right…did I? I can’t find my dictionary.) Thank you!
-Samantha Nelson

Ah, yes. Hello, Samantha. I remember you from the other page. 🙂 Thanks again for all your kind words. And please thank your neighbor for recommending Hero’s Guide. The only thing I love more than someone who reads Hero’s Guide is someone who recommends Hero’s Guide! Yay, neighbor!

Dear Mr. Healy,
I would really like it if you went to St. Catherine’s or St. Christopher’s school in Richmond, Virginia. I recommended “Hero’s Guide” to my school librarian and when I came back the next year she had it! She has not read it yet but will soon.
Thanks for writing the best book ever,
Lilly

Thanks so much, Lily! If I’m touring anywhere near Richmond, I will definitely see if St. Catherine’s can fit into the schedule. In the meantime, I hope your librarian enjoys Hero’s Guide! Thanks for recommending it! You’re the best!

I loved “The Hero’s Guide”! My friend read it and said it was the best book she’d read in a while, so when I saw it in the bookstore I just randomly decided to get it . It was the funniest book I have ever read(really!) and also I love the characters (Lila and Prince Duncan are my favorites). I read sections out loud to my mom and she really liked it too. I am on my 4th consecutive re-reading of it and it is still just as great as the first time. Write more books! Write more! Can’t wait for April! I really hope this book is made into a movie and that if it is, the story will be as close to the real story as possible.

Thank you so much, Madeleine! I’m happy to hear the princes have managed to keep up their strength through four full readings. Frankly, I would have expected Frederic to start complaining about his tired feet by halfway through the third reading.

Dear Mr. Healy,
I teach 4th grade in Rapid City at the Catholic Elementary school, St. Elizabeth Seton. I read your book this summer and spent so many laugh-out-loud moments, I had to share it with our class! My son who is a sophomore in college also read it this summer in only a few days! Our first read-aloud book this year was your Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. It took us over 8 weeks. My class loved it!!!!! It was a great way to introduce them to a longer, more involved story. They kept track to the characters better than I did when it came to the details. We did lots of illustrations of their favs and had many great discussions about your characters in great depth. They are hoping to see a sequel and perhaps a movie!!!! They have written you some notes and I would like to send them to you. Could you please send me an address via email so that I may send them to you? They loved Mr. Troll and the trolls’ names for people!
Sincerely,
S Trinter

Wow, that is so awesome! I would love to see the notes from your students. I’ll definitely send you an email. And in case you hadn’t seen elsewhere on this site, there is a sequel coming in April. Fox Animation is working on the movie prospects right now, so we can all keep our fingers crossed for that, too. I look forward to hearing from your class. And thanks for choosing Hero’s Guide as a class read!

hi! i am so excited for April. My birthday is earlier in April and for my birthday, I told my parents that if they promised to get me the new book when it came out, I would be happy. Thank you so much for this amazing book! I love the characters(Frederic is my favorite. I am afraid of everything too:D). I want to be a writer ever since I wrote a short story and it won an award. You and this book have inspired me so much. p.s. when i had to take it back to the library, I was so sad. I even read it at my friends birthday party… i couldn’t put it down!

Thanks, Emily! I’m so happy to have you as a fan of my books. And I hope you get what you want for your birthday. So cool to hear that you won a writing award! That’s awesome! Keep it up! Best of luck with your future storytelling! And happy early birthday!

I didn’t know about these books until I finished a Harry potter and the goblet of fire.I asked my school librarian if there was a book like it I saw the cover read the Back and I amediantly knew I would like it and( I did my favotite prince is prince Liam) I cant wait to read your next book.

hi! didnt know about these books until i finished harry potter and the goblet of fire i asked my libarian if there was a book like it she said not with wizards and witches fighting at schools.Then she gave me your first book HEROS GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM.I read the back of the book and i knew i would like it and i did.

Is there a movie coming out because the book was so good and tommorow i am going to tell
my friends they should read it.Will you come to my school if you get a chance. its Red Cross Elementry.Oh yeh ill tell my libarian that you said thanks for telling me.One more thing when is the next book coming out.The next book name sounds good.

Thanks again, Peyton. Sadly, I won’t be in your area when I go on my upcoming book tour for Storming the Castle, but hey, you never know. I visit a lot of schools over the course of the year. The sequel comes out on April 30th, by the way. Keep a look our for it. As far as the movie goes, it’s still in development with Blue Sky Studios (who have a great new movie called Epic coming out very soon), but animated films take a long time to make, so it will be a long while before a Hero’s Guide movie would hit the big screen.

Hi Christopher,
I am writing to see if you are my long lost nephew from New Jersey. If you have a brother a couple of years older than yourself whose name is Sean, and your mom’s name is Phyllis, then, you are the one. Please let me know when you get time. Thanks, Gwen Healy.

I am 7 1/2 and I love to read.I love your book so much!I got the first book from a library and I finished it in 3 days!!!!!!!! I have both of your books and I am constantly:(a) Reading your books at the table,(b) telling everybody that these are my favorite books in the universe, and (c) showing my family the funny parts. I finished the second book in 2 days. My favorite character is Frederic. He is so funny! I also like Duncan (and everybody). I have recommended the books to my school librarian so everybody can read them, so she ordered the first one to have in the school library. I really want to meet you when you come to Portland. I was wondering where you got the inspiration for Frederic. I am a story-teller too, except I don’t usually write my stories down on paper. Your stories inspire me to tell more stories. I hope to see you October 13th!
McKenna

Hi, McKenna! Wow, you are my favorite type of fan. 🙂 The next time I’m doing an event in Portland, I’ll be sure to post about it on this site. And if you can make it there, be sure to let me know who you are. I’d be more than happy to sign a book for you! Thanks for being a great fan!

I am A Grade 3 / 4 teacher in Cambridge Ontario. I have been reading aloud to my class “Hero’s Guide To Saving Your Kingdom.” My students have really been enjoying your novel. They have been making Wanted Posters for Zaubera, The Bandit King, and Reese. We are really hoping that your novel will be made into a feature film. We have lots of great ideas about scenes that should definitely be in the movie , and which actors should do the voice for each character (e.g., Martin Short as Duncan). We would like to have a class trip to the movie theatre when your book hits the big screen. My grade 4’s were worried that they would not be able to go to the movie because the school year is almost over. We have made plans to see if we could go as a division (grade 4, grade 5, grade 6). Hopefully your book will be out on the big screen before my students finish grade 6.

Oh, what I wouldn’t give to see some of those Wanted posters! That sounds like such an amazing project. I’m glad your students have been enjoying the book. As for the film, it’s in development with Blue Sky Studios/Fox Animation. But animated movies take a while to make, so sadly I can’t promise anything. But, hey, keep you fingers crossed! I know I will. Thanks again!

Hello, I’m just here to prove that we here in Albany, California enjoy your book very very much. Anyway, I first noticed your book while waiting for my ride at a Barnes and Noble. I saw the 2nd one, and when I found that out, I went hunting for the first one. When I found it, I was sad to note I had no money on me, and it wasn’t in any nearby libraries. So, three or four days later I returned and bought the first book, and as soon as I got home I plopped on my bed and read it. I honestly think that if I could animate and if I was confident enough in my art skill, I could make it an un-proffesional movie. My friend enjoyed Gustav’s insult “Mr. Silky white pants and fancy golden dingle dangles.” I got my teacher, my parents, and my friends interested and they seem to like the way I read it out loud. So, Mr. Healy, when you decided to write, you made my world more amazing than I could have ever dreamed. Also, if you could maybe write a third? Thank you for understanding. 😀 After reading your book, I can’t help but reach for it whenever I want to read. Please tell me there is a way that I can meet you in person? You seem like a funny person.
Signed with loads of interest and excitement,
Natalia Vanessa Rivera Ramos the first. Naw, just Natalia Vanessa Rivera Ramos.
PS. Is Liam a spaniard?

Well, thank you, Natalia Vanessa Rivera Ramos! I am thrilled that you have been able to find a bit of joy in my books. I am happy to count you as a fan. Especially because you singled out the “Mr. Silky White Pants and Fancy Golden Dingle-Dangles” line, which is one of my all-time favorite lines from the whole series. In case you haven’t seen elsewhere on this site, I am definitely writing a third Hero’s Guide book. In fact, I’m just finishing it up this week. But it still won’t be out until next spring (after all the copyediting, illustrating, designing, printing, and other very important jobs that go into creating a book). I usually tour to promote my books when they come out and, while I don’t have a schedule for it yet, I may be coming out to the west coast when Book 3 is published. Check my website, because I post all my signings there. Thanks again!

I absolutely loved your book. You have managed to take something everyone knows, and turned it in to something even a 12 year old like me loves to read. The Hero’s Guide books are officially my favorite. I really like Prince Liam, Deeb Rauber, and Vero. My sister also loves Lila. Are you releasing a third book and when? Thanks!

I absolutely loved your comment! It’s very exciting to be the author of somebody’s favorite book. To answer your questions, the third Hero’s Guide book will be out in spring of next year. And I actually can’t take credit for the name Smimf. A young boy I know came up with the name. He said he wanted to name his dog Smimf, but I liked the name so much that I asked him if I could use it in my book. Luckily, he said yes. Oh, and I will definitely tell Todd you love his art. (I do too.)

Hi Mr. H,
I love your books! I just finished the second book yesterday and I got it two days ago – to keep 🙂 (it was awesome!). I hope you’re writing a 3rd, if you are I can’t wait to read it. I did a diorama & book report on The Hero’s Guide To Saving Your Kingdom and after I read it I re- read it almost 5 times!, and got it for Christmas! I <3 The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom and The Hero's Guide To Storming The Castle. I'm your #1 fan! I give both books 10 out of 5 stars!
Sincerely,
Keira

10 out of 5 stars? Wow! That’s awesome! But to be honest, the fact that there’s a diorama out there based on my book is even more awesome! I wish I could see it! Thanks so much for being such a great fan!

I just love love love this book. I kept looking at it at the book store locally I am normally a fluffy mystery reader but the cover kept catching my eye every time I walked by it. Finally after three weeks I just had to have the book, so I grabbed it and I have since read it four times and I am so happy that I have the first edition I just hope sometime you come to my town so I can have you sign it!! 🙂 I am excited to read your next book if its anything as fun, light and decadent as this one was you will have a hit on your hands with adults as well as kids. Thank you and keep up the fun work!!

That’s why I love these covers so much. I think they’re pretty eye-catching, too. And catching the eye is just what you want a book cover to do. Glad it worked for you. And even more glad that you weren’t disappointed after you actually read the book! 🙂

Will you write a third book?? I just devoured the second one. It was such a good book; however now I regret reading it so quickly. I beg you to please write a third book. I can not live without the league of princes!!!!!!!

Yes, I will! In fact, I already did! Sadly, it won’t be available until next year (thanks to all sorts of editing, revising, proofreading, illustrating, and printing that has to happen in between). But look for The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw in spring 2014!

You are such a creative and inspiring writer. Being an author has always been a dream of mine. In fact I have a super cool/retro typewriter. Though, sadly, it is sitting in my room collecting dust. I can’t for the life of me think of a story to write. All the ideas I come up with just couldn’t fill up a whole book. How do you come up with your plots and characters?
Sincerely,
A Girl With Writers Block
P.S. Thanks for turning the fairytale characters I thought I knew upside down. It is so fun to read about them in a whole knew perspective. Who knew Sleeping Beauty was a self centered brat, or Cinderella’s prince charming had never stepped foot out of the castle because of a tiger incident?! (:

Thanks, Sophia! If you can’t come up with ideas, try twisting around somebody else’s ideas. That’s what I did. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Prince Charming… they all existed already. I just took the bits of their stories that didn’t make sense to me and tried to come up with reasons and rationales for them. For instance, I asked myself, “why did Cinderella’s prince not go looking for her himself after she fled the ball?” And I decided that maybe it was because he was afraid to ever leave his home after an incident involving a circus tiger in his youth. There you go–brand new story! Good luck with your writing! Keep at it!

After seeing some of your suggested titles, I may regret naming Book 3, The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw. The pie-baking idea is fantastic.
And while Book 3 doesn’t have exactly the character you described, it does have a character with long red hair. And another who wields double swords (not double-bladed, just double — although maybe that would have been cooler. Oh, well).

Earlier this term, my school had the Reader’s Choice Award, and one of the nominees were The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom. When I got a chance, I bought it, read it (in 2 days, so many cliffhangers!), and voted for it.

In the end, Saving Your Kingdom came in first place. It certainly deserves to win Reader’s Choice.

I absolutely love this series, and I love handselling it! (I work at Powell’s Books in Portland, OR). It’s so refreshing and delightful to find a series that shows us heroes in a real and humorous light. You did a marvelous job putting these stories together and I can’t wait to see what you write next. Hats off to you Mr. Healy.

Why, thank you very much. That’s so nice to hear. I absolutely love Powell’s, by the way. I can’t go to Portland without making a stop there (and for someone who lives on the east coast, I end up in Portland with odd frequency).

You’re books are so engrossing, I think my favorite book is Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. I’m in 5th grade and people tell me I should read more books for my age, but they have no plot. And then you came… it was like heaven came to me in the form of a book(maybe i’m exaggerating about the platter). What books inspired you?

To elaborate on my last reply, Tolkien and other fantasy authors inspired me in terms of building new worlds and creating epic quests that involve many characters. Milne inspired me in terms of humor. As a 5th grader whose favorite book is Fahrenheit 451 (very impressive, by the way), you may think of Winnie-the-Pooh as being a book that is only for readers far younger than you. But if you haven’t read it recently, I would suggest giving it a try. The Pooh books are far deeper than they may seem on the surface and full of very sophisticated humor, especially the wordplay.

Are you confident that you made the ending to the third book a good one? Do you think it sounded really final? After all, it’s like cutting all of the characters’ lives off without their given consent.

I used to be Insert Name Here! Now I’m Galadriel!
Which character had long red hair? I’m wracking my brain trying to think of him (her) but who was it?
Just finished Being an outlaw. I WANT MORE!!!!! I like that Briar’s character developed enough for her to consider herself part of the league. I feel so proud of her, like she’s my kid. I love that last full-page picture of the Leauge and Ella fighting Zaubera and Rundark. If it had a caption it would have said: ELLA, mightily ticked off.
I found myself whispering “Struuummm – hhaaaa – geeeeennnn!!” along with Gustav.
GREAT BOOK! WELL DONE.

Well, only bad books have good endings (according to Pseudonymous Bosch, anyway). Because book endings are bad in good books because you don’t want them to end. So they’re good in bad books, because you’re glad they ended. Like Twilight. I bet everyone loved its ending. And everyone hated the Harry Potter epilogue. So that just goes to show you that HP>Twilight. Anyway, Harry>Voldemort… er… you-know-who, you-know-who>Cedric, Cedric=Edward, therefore Harry>Edward. AAAANd, there’s the math. (Robert Patterson liked playing Cedric more than Edward, btw. He actually hated his character in Twilight. )

Most of my friends read your books. They are really funny and I love them. One of my friends says you are coming out with a fourth book; I’m not sure that’s true, though.

I’ve read the three books you’ve written so far a million times. And by a million, I mean a lot — a large quantity. Well okay, by a million I mean every time I’m bored I pick up one of your books and start reading.

I like at the end of the first one Duncan’s list of names of animals. They are really funny. Me and my mom crack up at them every time I read them.

When the third book came to Portland, we got one of the first copies in town from Powell’s.

Hi, Tabitha! Thank so much for writing! Your friend is correct in that I am writing a fourth book—however, it is not a fourth Hero’s Guide book. My new book is called The Worst Thing About Saving the World and it is an entirely new story with new characters, new plots, and maybe even a few new words. (I like to make them up.) I’m thrilled that you’re such a fan of Hero’s Guide and I hope you’ll like the new one too. There will be more Hero’s Guide to come, but I don’t know when or in what form. (By the way, I love Powell’s! I need to stop there every time I’m in Portland—it’s the best!)

Please write more Hero’s Guide books! When I first saw Saving the Kingdom, I thought it would be a boring advice column for heroes. Then I started to read bits of it, and I fell in love with it. Then before I knew what happened, I read the second book. Then I read the glorious third. They inspire my own writing a lot. Please write a 4th book!!

By the way, I’m a 9 year old homeschooled girl in Texas, and a speed reader! Please, please, please write more about these characters!

Wow, Gwyneth, I’m sure glad you took a chance on the book! I definitely plan to write more about these characters–I just don’t know exactly when. Though the more fans keep asking me to do so, the more it makes me want to do so sooner!

Wow, so many readers asking for a 4th Hero’s Guide book! It warms an author’s heart. I’d love to write one, however, it’s not just up to me. Anybody who wants more Hero’s Guide should tell the people at HarperCollins Children’s publishers how they feel. It certainly couldn’t hurt.

No, what you’re doing right now is called “commenting.” It’s a little different than emailing. Oh, wait! You mean you’re going to email me in addition to the comments on this site. I get it. Okay, I’ll go look for the email. Don’t go anywhere.

I actually had a whole plotline about Neville and Horace that was originally going to appear in Storming the Castle, but I had to cut it out for space. Who knows, though, maybe I’ll get a chance to use it in a future book.

Is this a real friend, Tikvah? Or the imaginary kind? She sounds great, but all three books in one day? She must be some kind of speed-reading sorceress! Hmmm… I’m thinking she’s imaginary. But you can tell her I will consider her my #1 imaginary fan. 😉

lol, she is real. Not imaginary. She’ll laugh when I tell her you thought she was imaginary. I have also read all three in one day…. But she’ll tell me to say she is imaginary since you consider her to be your number 1 imaginary fan. I’m cracking up, this is hilarious. XD

Alright Mr. Healy. I’ve had to muster up my courage for a long time to do this. I’m the imaginary friend! Accept I’m not imaginary 😛 When my sister (the one who read all the books in one day) found out that I had the chance to talk to you and didn’t, she flipped a lid. So here I am. Will Tikvah see this? cause she’ll think it’s hilarious. Just so you know I really love your writing and please write a fourth book for the series or else I will be very disappointed. I also love your illustrator! Lila is definitely my favorite character and I would love it if she got together with Smimf. Please? Ok I’m done 🙂 please respond that would make my year!

Well, Abigail, I’m glad you finally decided to write to me. And don’t worry, you’re not the first imaginary person I’ve communicated with. Anyway, I’m working on a new series now, but I’d still love to get to that fourth Hero’s Guide book someday. And when I do, you can be certain Lila will play a big part. Oh, and I guess that, with this response, I’ve just made your year. And it’s still so early in the year! What are you going to do for the next eleven and a half months?

Hey, Erin! Yes, I got it! And responded to it. (I believe it’s on the “Learn About Me” page.) As a general note to all readers who post comments on this site: Don’t worry if you don’t see your comment appear right away. They will all go up eventually. And I apologize to anyone whose comments I’ve had to edit because of spoilers, but I only do that for the benefit of readers who might not have gotten that far in the books yet. Keep writing to me! I love answering your comments!

Salutations Mr. H! It’s your eleven year old fan who just finished your series yesterday! I felt a great mix of emotions when I flipped to the last page. I was happy to know what happened to the League, but unhappy to be done with the series. 🙂 :-(. I feel the need to tell you how cool it is that you take time to write an individual message to each of your fans that e-mails you. Just so you know, you are the first and only Author that I have written to. I am a competitive swimmer, and sometimes while I’m in the water, I think up stories, but almost NEVER write them down. I come up with characters, plots, and everything a good story/book needs. just thought I’d let you know 🙂 Thanks for writing!

Sounds like you need some waterproof paper! How else will you be able to write down the stories you think up while you’re swimming. But seriously, I’m sure you’ll get one of those stories down on paper someday. If I’d actually written down every story I dreamt up throughout my life, I’d have written a gajillion books by now. I also would not have had any time to eat, sleep, or do anything else. So I guess I’ll just be happy with the three I’ve written so far. Because I think they came out pretty well. Stories rule!

I’ve posted a LOT of comments on your other pages. Under different names. But, whatever. You could call a fourth Hero’s Guide book ” A Hero’s Guide to Escaping a Prison”, or “A Hero’s Guide to Escaping a 12 Year-Old” . Plot: Deeb Rauber, who is back on the throne of Rauberia has captured the League of Princes through Neville and Horace. The Ferocious Female Freedom Fighters are on the run ( the bandit army is after them, you know), but still manage to somehow free the League (through Val, maybe. Or Jerrica.). The princes themselves have overheard the guards talking about a plot to join forces with the furry monster heard about at the end of book 3. With everyone free, and joined up, the League and FFFF defeat Deeb and the monster… they think. In reality, Deeb is somehow STILL alive, and has found the evil fairy from Liam’s story. And so, the way is paved for the fifth book… Maybe IT could be called “The Hero’s Guide To Beating Up Fairies”, or something. I don’t know.

I’ve always thought that fan fiction was copyright infringement (because I’ve never been able to contact the original authors before this). So, the “Other plots planned” thing seems to be promising more Hero’s Guide books.

IS fanfiction copyright infringement? And are you sure that what was said there you won’t use part of? And how do I email Harper Colins Publishers? Sorry about all the “ands”… School just started and my grammar is wonky. It gets cancelled for the summer, you know.

Fan fiction can be tricky, but I’m pretty sure that Rule #1 is: Don’t try to make any money off of it. It probably also helps if you clearly label it as fan fiction and make note of who actually owns the copyrights to the characters. Having said that, I am not a lawyer, so I can’t tell you anything definitive. If you’re really interested in it, it’s probably best to do a little research and look up the legal rules around fan fiction and copyrighted materials.

I LOVE your books u are my favorite author and your competing with Twain and Riordian your books made me laugh so look much my cheeks hurt after reading the series again I will tell HarperCollins in an anonymous email ( of course ) that ur books are bomb and u need to make more☺☺☺

I’m doing my part in sharing the books, I just pulled another friend into them! When she found out there was more than one book she freaked out, lol. I think she’s gonna get Hero’s Guide To Storming The Castle from the library because I unfortunately have my very own copy of it, though I have the other two. I really need to get it.
Sorry I comment a lot…. You make me happy, so I guess that’s why I’m always commenting, haha. I’m really disappointed that you’re not Iron Man, you totally misled me. Just Kidding. But you’d make a great Iron Man, maybe even better than Mr. Stark himself! Speaking of which, who’s your favorite Marvel superhero? (Hawkeye! <3 <3 <3 But my favorite comics are Captain America, then Fantastic Four, then Hawkeye)) And have you read any of the comics (comics are my life. +LOTR +Hero's Guide +Doctor Who)?
I'll leave you alone now, sorry for the long comment!

Yay, Hawkeye! I’ve always been a huge Hawkeye fan. The comic book version, that is. The Marvel movies are great, but they totally flipped Hawkeye’s personality in the films and made him the strong, silent, humorless type–the complete opposite of the comic book Hawkeye.

Yeah he’s not very silent in the comics. Or humorless. He’s always making cracks. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who loves him. I’m hoping that maybe in Infinity Wars he’ll lose his hearing (not that I’d wish it on anyone, but it’s kind of an important detail…)

Oh, C. Healy – wow, you and i have the same initials (this isn’t my real name, it’s a shout out to my book that isn’t published yet)-would make an awesome Iron Man. I personally think that he’d be way funnier than Tony Stark. PS, was Periwinkle Pete inspired at all by Legolas? LOTR FOR THE WIN!!! And also Harry Potter. ‘Cuz reasons (mentalfloss, crash course, and vlogbrothers rubbing off on me). See you in another life. (supercarlinbrothers)

The truth is that, yes, an animated Hero’s Guide movie is in development with Fox Animation’s Blue Sky Studios, the people behind the new Peanuts movie. That does not, however, guarantee the movie will ever come out. But yet, it is in the works. *fingers crossed*

I hope you write more and more books on princesses and princes etc. I picked up your first book, The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, and to tell you the truth I can’t put it down. I LOVE IT!!!!! Cant wait to read the others just PLEASE DONT STOP writing books like this cause they are my favorite.
Thanks,
Carly Smith

Thanks, Carly! I’m happy to have you as a fan. It may be a while before a new Hero’s Guide book comes out, but if you’ve only read the first one, at least you’ve got Books 2 & 3 to read in the meantime.

My name is Zachary Sneider, and I am a sixth grade student at Baker School in Chestnut Hill Brookline, MA. I have read The Heroes Guild to Saving your Kingdom and To Storming the Castle and I loved them so much I have a poster of both book covers in my room. I really enjoyed the way you put adventure and Comedy in the same book, like all of those insults to Duncan and Fredrick and the journey from the Bandit Kings Palace to the evil Witches Tower. I also really liked the Illustrations and the characters personalities especially Gustavs and how he is so self-centered. Your books are so great and I am looking forward to reading THE HEROES GUILD TO BEING AN OUTLAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have always wondered what inspired you to come up with these books. I really enjoyed these books but they left me thinking…… If I ever wanted to be a writer, how would I get the material to write a good book? I mean you’re the right person to ask. Also when were these books first written?, and were young when you wrote them? Also do you have any other books? Once I read Outlaw I’m going to need to read another book. Are there any other books you’ve written that a kid my age might enjoy, oh, by the way I’m twelve and I liked to read, however, it’s hard to read with hockey in your life to, not like that’s a bad thing.
I also have a questions about what genres you prefer to write. Do like manly Fantasy?, Sci Fi?, or even Humor? Cause I might want to be a writer and I want to know from a professional who knows how to write a successful & awesome book. Do you have any suggestions? Cause if you do I would really like to know because other than fantasy, I enjoy humor and non-fiction.
Are there any other books coming out in the heroes guild series? I would really like to see one where all of a sudden the princes wake up in a jail cell or maybe a crate being shipped off to some sacred or spooky/creepy island. I haven’t read Outlaw so if those ideas are actually in the book, it would mean I blew this whole letter. So if you respond to this letter, tell me what you think about these ideas or what your next book is about or if there actually in a book.

Hi Zachary,
Thanks for your letter! And thanks for being such a big fan! I’ll try to answer all your questions: I came up with the ideas for this series by reading lots of old fairy tales, looking at the parts that didn’t make sense (like why Rapunzel’s prince never just got a ladder), and trying to come up with explanation for them (he’s so desperate to prove himself a hero that, when he sees an opportunity for heroism, he just runs at it; he can’t be bothered to stop for silly things like making a plan first). It’s a technique you can use yourself if you’re looking to write a new version of a classic tale. I don’t have any other books out yet, but I’m working on a few now. The Perilous Journey series should debut next year, plus there’s a book called The Worst Thing About Saving the World (but I don’t know when that’s coming out). I like fantasy, sci-fi, AND humor–and I try to write them all. I like your ideas, but I don’t want to say much about them if you haven’t read Outlaw yet. Also, I love that you are passionate about both reading and hockey. (Though you should probably never do them at the same time.) Thanks again!

Hi! Love your books! I finished the 1st book in 18 days because i could not put it down. What is your favorite color? I am currently reading the 2nd book of the Kindom series. Have you written any other books, if so, what are they? Are you going to keep writting? Please! I love your books. What made you want to write about that kind of stuff?
Thankyou! Please respond!
Ashley

My name is Eben, I am nine years old and I would like to thank you so much for the wonderful Heroe’s Guide books! I was at the edge of my seat when I read it! I would really enjoy it if you could create a movie about all the princes! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE write more books about Liam, Frederic, Duncan, Gustav, Ella, Snow White, Lila, Ruffian the blue, Repunzel, and even Brair Rose! Thank you once more fore these INCREDIBLE adventures!

Just a quick message of thanks from the mum of a previously reluctant reader. My nine year old son has just finished all three of your ‘Hero’s Guide’ books in the lasts three weeks. His reading ability has improved dramatically. Many thanks.

Last year you hinted to Fox Animations’ production of your trilogy. I’ve been waiting not-so-patiently for that to come out! Did it already come out and I just missed it, or has something delayed the process?

1) PLEASE KEEP WRITING MORE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2) MAKE A MOVIE EXACTLY LIKE THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (have the director read the books, make it animated) 3) sometimes I have an idea for a book out of the blue, so I write it down, so I have a BUNCH of started books, I have somewhere almost everyday, plus I have 4 sisters. So I don’t really have a lot of free time so I never finish any of my writing. My mom is a creative writing teacher so ideas for books and poems naturally come to me.
What should I do to have more time to write? P.S. I hope the real Christopher Healy reads this 🙂

The real Christopher Healy did read it! And he (or me) will answer! 1) I will keep writing! 2) A movie is being made! 3) If I knew how to have more time to write, I probably would have finished my next book already. Sorry. (P.S. I know how to pronounce your name. Have you ever noticed the dedication page in the beginning of “Saving Your Kingdom?”)

thanks, Merry Christmas! 🙂 by the way I just finished reading the, heroes guide to saving your kingdom. For the third time. And I love the idea of Deeb being Ella’s cousin, also I find Lila very relatable because she is only two years older than me, and I would do anything to cover for my 16 year old sister 🙂

hi! I just wanted to ask, I’m trying to get one of my best friends to read, she really likes animals and lives in the woods. She is not the most creative with other people around because she’s afraid of what other think of her work, I let her borrow one of my books, by E.D. Baker and I have some other books to recommend her what would you suggest?

“She really likes animals and lives in the woods?” Is your friend Snow White? Anyway, tell Snow to try the Grimm books by Adam Gidwitz, the Hook’s Revenge books by Heidi Schultz, or the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates by Caroline Carlson. That’s just a few off the top of my head (it’s difficult to keep them balanced up there anyway).

thanks! those sound great, I’ll be sure to check them out. Also do you have any books to suggest where the main character is any animal and their not 500 pages long (not saying theses book are) thanks.

I LOVE your books!! I am slightly obsessed, actually, I have listened to the audio versions read by Bronson Pinchot many times each! I would love to see a book four come out! There are so many open ends, like you said. Thanks for all the wonderful days your books have filled!

I found all of the books you recommended to me, I balanced all them all on my head and it was quite easy. although I bet you have more than three up there. So I started reading the very nearly honorable league of pirates. And the plot is very well written, and I fin my self more like Claire (the girl Hillary was friends with at finishing school) But I find the gargoyle to be like one of my sisters I can’t wait to read the other books so I can recommend them to my friend who still has yet to finish the first book I gave her. But I don’t want to rush her.

P.S. I came up with a nickname form Ruffian Ruffy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and also Ruffydablue

I love all The Hero’s Guide books. My favorite one was The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw. I like how they are so funny!
Are you going to write a fourth book in this series?
Do you have any other books?

My sister, Amber, gave me your books for Christmas. I am older than your target audience, but I found the first book delightful. Reminds me of “Fractured Fairytales” which was my favorite part of the old Bullwinkle cartoons. However, as I was reading the second book, I hit a snag – pages 375-406 are missing. That leaves a considerable gap in the narrative. I wanted you to know because I imagine mine is not the only copy with that printing error.

Well, that is completely unacceptable! I am so sorry about that. We need to see what we can do to get you a new, fully intact copy ASAP! If you can’t exchange it at the store, let me know and I will see what I can do to help. And thank you for alerting me about this. If anyone else out there has purchased a copy of Storming the Castle that’s missing any pages, please let me know! I don’t want any of my readers missing any parts of my stories!

Dear Christopher Healy,
I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! They are all so funny, and enjoyable! My little sister and I wrote a letter to you, so you should have it by now. You got a message from someone earlier talking about the audio book, she’s my older sister, and the Hero’s Guide series are our favorite books. When do you think the movie is gonna come out? I’m looking forward to that.

I was thinking that the plot for the next book could go something like so: It starts directly after the last book ends, and they find the monster… somehow through plot twists and stuff that you as the author can decide :D, Briar Rose becomes the hero of a second bard song “Beauty and the Beast”. I think that would be so cool if you could somehow incorporate that into one of your future Hero’s Guide books!!! Ooooh… maybe it could be called “The Hero’s Guide to Breaking the Spell”!!! Well, I can only speculate at this point! I definitely think that Lila needs to find Ruffian’s daughter. Oh, and Lila should be called “Lila the Lavender” or something!

I just read about your new book thing and I am SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEXITED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am abscessed with your books and check your website almost every day and ! but I haven’t been very often because I have been very sick but hey it happens 🙂

I thought you would like to know you misspelled the word “recomend”. Silly mistakes are a pet peeve of mine and they can ruin your website’s credibility. In the past I’ve used a tool like SpellingScan.com to keep mistakes off my website.